Welcome to Pizzaonia! Reflections from a different perspective --- Diverti Mento, John Frank Giovanni, Frank John Franco, Vera V. Veronica and all of the Pizza digogo DiVinci family invite you to join us - We discuss and share ideas that are relevant to our new emerging world. http://giovanniandfranco.com A division of the Pizzaonian Newsertainment Network

Since portalization between the United States and Pizzaonia became possible last year, Pizzaonian vocational schools have added a variety of different classes so Pizzaonians would have more opportunities for their new lives in America.

Since purveyors of doom (POD) are now in demand in the United States by all of the radio and television networks, the Pizzaonian Vocational Institute has added an accelerated curriculum in purveyors of doom methodology and delivery.

This one year course, POD 101, will feature advanced techniques in finding reasons for doom and gloom in virtually every subject. This degree course will teach students to be not only well versed in the subject matter, but in speaking presentations for radio and television as well.

Pizzaonian Vocational Institute director, Geraldanni Vopechalla, said, “Our students will leave this program capable of doing outstanding POD work for any radio and television network in the United States.”

Students who complete the program successfully will be given the coveted POD designation and will be able to include the title after their name.

04/28/2011

Today, more than ever, the United States is infested with purveyors of doom, or as we call them here in Pizzaonia, PODS.

They infect the political system, television, radio, newspapers – they are virtually impossible to hide from.

Purveyors of doom, or PODS, thrive by being against something, usually, a political party and the politicians that represent the party they are opposed to. Nothing can control their venom and hate which they are very adept at spewing at will, whenever the occasion arises.

What makes this more interesting is that most PODS are professionals whose vested interest is promoting themselves by being the biggest POD of them all. You suspect that most PODS are really actors who have learned to milk this type of demagoguery.

It brings to mind Winston Churchill’s somewhat dubious quote. “The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.” Let's face it, without us PODS couldn't exists.

Today, see how many PODS you encounter. Keep a count. Maybe, the more aware we become of their presence the less effective they will become.

One last thought about hate: “Hatred is so marvelously useful to mobilize human emotions, to give movements their energy and drive….” Andrew Greeley “The Jesus Myth

04/27/2011

The great divide in American politics is the dilemma between the new world we are moving to and the old world most Americans still live in today. The old world is dying and the great divide to the new world of promise and stability is a mighty river that is impossible to cross without the construction of a viable bridge that allows safe passage.

And this is the problem that our political leadership from either major party is not willing to confront. Instead, we have deadlock while both sides vie for political power. Our President laments the problems he inherited while promising to build the new industries of tomorrow. He warns us that we have a long way to go. This is hardly a clarion call to optimism.

Our loyal opposition promises to stop the President’s programs. Somehow we are to believe this is going to solve the issue of the great divide. Obstruction is not a viable program for the future. So where does that leave us? I believe in serious trouble unless we find the political will to resolve the current paralysis of our political debate.

The political will to do so is going to have to come from the people. The initiative must come from the people since our leadership provides us with no alternative. Do we have the stomach for it? Do we have the courage to say enough of “attack politics” and demand a return to a reasonable debate of the issues – or are we as stupid as the politicians seem to think we are?

The problem is further exasperated since a significant number of people are already on the other side of the river, leaving most of the middle and working class behind. They did not need a bridge since they were on the other side from the beginning. This worked as long as the dying side of the river was provided the means for survival for those still there – the gap between the two sides, while uncomfortable, was manageable.

The financial and tech worlds always start from the good side of the river - the financial world because they control the resources and the tech side because they are the future. The folks on the other side depend on the status quo to survive – and the status quo is dying rapidly.

The tragedy of our political debate is both sides are partially right, but because of the caustic rhetoric and desire for power, neither side is willing to frame the political debate in a clear, constructive and persuasive manner.

We need the President’s programs and that should be obvious to all. The economy was stabilized and the foundation for the future was built. Then the emphasis shifted to the needs for the future and where we need to go, all admirable and necessary. However, what was left out was the present and that is what the bridge is all about.

The loyal opposition is also right. We need frugality and we need efficiency from our government. Our future desperately needs well-managed government. But they overstate their case for political reasons and obstruct any attempt to build a meaningful bridge to the future.

We need the future, we need financial stability, and we need well managed government, and while preparing for the future is critical, you cannot sacrifice the present, especially when the sacrifice is not equally shared.

Simply said the viable bridge for the middle class is more than a metaphor. It is rebuilding our infrastructure and the jobs that will create. We cannot ignore the present and expect to have a future. We still need to move to the future but we need to travel the road together.

What is missing is the political will and courage from our political establishment to frame the debate honestly. Our infrastructure is falling apart and because the political debate has made this “old school” thinking this alarming fact no longer seems relevant to the argument.

All of this takes place while other emerging and established economies around the world are making massive investments in their present and future infrastructures. We might not have a future if we do not save the present. When the American people sense an honest debate, the people will respond. But even better, we, the people should demand an honest debate on the issues now, or we can expect more of the same – and that can only mean a weaker America. We deserve better than this.

04/23/2011

Another note from Brother Franco, Headmaster of all Pizzaonian Monasteries,

Brother Giovanni,

It occurred to me this morning that for so many of our novice monks to be so concerned with themselves in terms of development and growth that they have to come from backgrounds where they were well-fed.

When people are digging for roots to stay alive there isn’t a lot of time for worrying about your state of mind. Don’t get me wrong, I am not recommending that we need that kind of hardship in our lives, but we do need a lot less self-indulgence and narcissism if we are going to survive as a culture.

My basic prescription is still the same. Focus on helping someone else and get your mind off yourself. It's amazing how our Creator is so willing to enter the minds of those who are simply out there trying to help someone.

I am not advocating joining a crusade or becoming a foreign missionary. How about just reaching out to someone close to you and helping them. Spend a few moments getting into their heads and being there for them.

It seems when we do this the door is open for spiritual growth without having to think about it.

04/21/2011

There is something about devoted bicycle riders that’s different. I am sure all of you non-riders know what I am talking about. Some would call it an attitude, what ever it is, it’s there.

Recently, I thought it might be fun to at least pretend I was one of them, so I reconsidered seriously riding my bike again.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to bring about my issues with a bicycle. First, it’s that damn seat. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find the seat very intimidating.

At first I thought this could be easily overcome. I bought a larger (much broader – the reason is obvious to you older folks) seat. But still that didn’t quite do it. I needed some kind of small arm rest for when I stopped. This is certainly not necessary, but it increases the comfort zone considerably.

Unfortunately, this is not very efficient. It also makes the balancing act bicycles require more difficult. Even so, while not very cool, and it does get strange looks from the aficionados, I could live with it.

But then I came to the one issue I could not live with. It’s that costume. Bicycle riders look to me like some type of tooth fairy from an alien world. The idea of stuffing my body into a multi-colored spandex wrap is more than I can deal with.

So my bicycle is back in the corner of the garage where it has been for years. The time will come when I might reconsider riding it, but for now my eye just caught my old golf clubs - maybe I will think about getting back on the course again.

04/20/2011

Mother Liberty is upset. For those who have seen her lately I am sure you’ve noticed how depressed she seems. I am not sure what’s going on, but I am told by friends of hers she is growing discouraged with her great experiment, the United States, and how it seems to be going.

I have it only on hearsay, but her friends inform me Mother Liberty cannot understand why Americans today have lost sight of the grand experiment of their “evolving union.” She has always seen her American experiment as the best hope of humankind to evolve to a genuine democracy.

Mother Liberty took a great deal of criticism from her friends when she began the “American experiment.” Her closest advisors were convinced that humans could never get past their pettiness and animal need for power. She was told her dream of a real democracy would implode with the selfish and self serving exercise of freedom that Mother Liberty sought for the world.

“To expect people to willing except sacrifice to build a better world when they can simply take care of themselves first is beyond anything humans have ever done before. There is no reason to believe human nature has in any way changed. ” so said her closest friends.

In the beginning Mother Liberty refused to believe this. She remained convinced the young Republic would evolve and grow slowly to maturity. Now I am told, she is no longer sure this is true. For the moment, she sits alone with her thoughts wondering what went wrong.

04/18/2011

Brother Franco, headmaster of Pizzaonian Monasteries, was sharing with me some thoughts on how difficult it is for both novice monks and their older brothers and sisters to bring profound change to their lives.

Here is a brief excerpt of his thoughts on the difficulty of bringing insightful change to our core being.

Brother Giovanni

We live our lives following a habit pattern we are seldom aware of. We continue to tinker with our schedules and our motivations, but the foundation that it all rests on stays the same. Many surface things in our personalities change often, but at our core, at the very foundation of our being, change there does not come easily, or often.

Who we are and how we have learned to protect ourselves from ourselves, and everyone else is where the hardest stone of our foundation rests and why things seldom change. The reason we seldom change is because we don’t want to change. Simply said, change at this level would transform our lives dramatically and turn our comfort zones upside down.

We occasionally get glimpses of the person we could be if we were willing to change ourselves at this core level. It may be inspiring for a moment, but when the realization of what it would mean to become the real you hits home, it usually takes us quickly back to our comfort zone.

So the next time you lament to yourself, why don’t things ever really change, find a mirror and ask the person looking back at you. That person knows the answer to your question if you dare listen.

Pizzaonian News Service announced today the permanent appointment of Brother Giovanni as Bureau Chief for Worldonia. (United States)

Brother Giovanni has been acting Bureau Chief for the past several months and with his permanent appointment he will focus on the Untied State’s political scene, and the upcoming American presidential elections.

The permanent appointment of Brother Giovanni ends the speculation regarding his standing with Pizzaonian pizza conglomerate, Pizza digogo DiVinci. The pizza conglomerate has a controlling interest in Pizzaonian News Service and had to approve of the appointment.

Brother Giovanni, former Supreme Pizzaonian for all of Pizzaonia, is regarded as very independent and his blunt reporting in the past caused some concern in Pizzaonian political circles.

For the moment past issues now seem resolved. Brother Giovanni has pledged his readers can look forward to the same unbiased reporting that brought him so much notoriety in the past.

To answer many of the public’s questions regarding the introduction of Pizza digogo DiVinci’s Miracle Mozzarella Pizza products to Worldonia, we are making available some background information on Brother Giorgio Di Augustino, head of bakery operations for the pizza conglomerate in Pizzaonia.

Brother Giorgio has agreed to have a press conference in the near future to answer more questions regarding the extraordinary decision of Pizza digogo DiVinci to enter the Worldonian market place.